fish kills

Fish kills and respiratory irritations suspected to be related to red tide have been reported from Pinellas County down to Lee County.

Fish kills have been reported the past week along beaches in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to criticism that he's failed to declare a state of emergency, saying the state dedicated funding source to fight red tide and blue-green algae last year.

As red tide continues to plague Florida’s west coast, it also seems to continue expanding north.

They say the state is directing resources for the cleanup, including money and spotter planes. But they maintain that a state of emergency declaration — which some have called for — won't change anything.

Fish kills continue to pollute the waters around downtown St. Petersburg and smaller die-offs were reported in Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Thousands of fish continued to litter the St. Petersburg waterfront Monday, even after 15 tons had been scooped out of Tampa Bay by city crews.

Tons of dead fish have washed ashore in the wake of Tropical Storm Elsa. On Sunday, Pinellas health officials recommended that anyone with respiratory problems consider avoiding county beaches.

The holidays provide extra time for fishing along the Gulf coast, but some popular species are not for keeps due to red tide.

Florida has money and resources ready as red tide that has lingered along the Gulf Coast has been detected in Palm Beach County’s coastal waters, Gov.…